Thread: Importing A Chinese Machine......Roger Webb/Pacific Tooling - CNC Router

Originally Posted by ian

I've just done a search on ASIC's register of business, company and trading names -- I can't find an entry for "Pacific Tooling"

I can't find an entry for "Pacific Tooling" on the ABN register either.

but I did find this via an ICANN WHOIS search

Domain Name: PACIFICTOOLING.COM
Registry Domain ID: 2057335848_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.syrahost.com
Registrar URL: Domain Names | Cheap Domain Names World
Updated Date: 2016-09-05T10:31:49Z
Creation Date: 2016-09-05T00:00:00Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2018-09-05T00:00:00Z
Registrar: CRAZY DOMAINS FZ-LLC
Registrar IANA ID: 1291
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: [email protected]
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +61.894220890
Reseller: CRAZY DOMAINS
Domain Status: ok https://icann.org/epp#ok
Registry Registrant ID: 21219363
Registrant Name: HELEN FOX
Registrant Organization:
Registrant Street: PO BOX 1415
Registrant City: LINDISFARNE
Registrant State/Province: TAS
Registrant Postal Code: 7015
Registrant Country: AU
Registrant Phone: +61.408436125
Registrant Phone Ext:
Registrant Email: [email protected]
Registry Admin ID: 86053
Admin Name: HELEN FOX
Admin Organization:
Admin Street: PO BOX 1415
Admin City: LINDISFARNE
Admin State/Province: TAS
Admin Postal Code: 7015
Admin Country: AU
Admin Phone: +61.408436125
Admin Phone Ext:
Admin Email: [email protected]
Registry Tech ID: 86053
Tech Name: HELEN FOX
Tech Organization:
Tech Street: PO BOX 1415
Tech City: LINDISFARNE
Tech State/Province: TAS
Tech Postal Code: 7015
Tech Country: AU
Tech Phone: +61.408436125
Tech Phone Ext:
Tech Email: [email protected]
Name Server: NS1.SYRAHOST.COM
Name Server: NS2.SYRAHOST.COM
DNSSEC: unsigned
URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: Whois Inaccuracy Complaint Form | ICANN
>>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2016-09-05T10:31:49Z <<<

so at least Roger's domain name is registered in Tasmania.

Originally Posted by ian

If as appears probable [Doug] is legally the "importer" of his CNC, then he is the one responsible for electrical certification and electromagnetic compliance.

I shudder to think how much obtaining both certificates might cost.

Originally Posted by cava

Probably circa $20-25,000.

but does Doug need a type approval of electrical compliance, or merely a certificate from his sparky that his machine is safe -- i.e. safe to plug into 240V?

in essence, if I acquire an electrical appliance and have it rewired, does the re-wiring supercede the original compliance certificate?

Originally Posted by maxxsinner

And yet I know of a tafe collage that imported a 3 phase heavy duty drill press which arrived not working (brand new...) with every wire purple, including earths.
It was rewired by the staff and no certs were even attempted to be obtained to my knowledge.

Apologies for dragging this off topic - Cava, do all items require certification or would rewiring count from a REC? I understand that the lack of EM compliance may have answered my question, but I am curious as it has been a topic of discussion at work before. My opinion has always been if it doesn't have the magic tick on the item, sparkies should use the 10 foot barge pole rule.

From a regulatory viewpoint, all appliances and machinery have to comply with SAA standards if they are connected to the grid.

However, ESV has the latitude to exempt certain requirements if they deem it prudent. At the end of the day, weather it is acknowleged or not, there are two (2) rules. One for the government and one for the importers, suppliers, manufacturers and users.

That stated, ESV should have checked the rewiring prior to the commission of the drill press.

Doug bought something overseas from an overseas company and then he imported it. I would think it could not be clearer.

On the other hand if the manufacturer wants Australians to buy their machines.....


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Originally Posted by cava

Anything sold in Australia or connected to a 240VAC power connection is required by law to be Australian Certified.

I think the stumbling block here may be "Anything sold in Australia". Roger may argue that the machine was sold in China and then imported by me to Australia. In this way, he holds himself at arm's length from the importation side of the transaction.

However, as I said, it's in the hands of Energy Safe now. If, after their investigation, I end up having to make it safe at my cost, so be it. But I would love to be able to see him forced by Energy Safe to do a recall.

Originally Posted by cava

Probably circa $20-25,000.

Gulp (

The only payment was to Boost International Company being the Chinese trading name for Pacific Tooling. I'm pretty sure that Roger has had some clever advice on distancing himself from any liability.

I'm more and more certain that you are right (

At this point, I'm very grateful for everyone's input and comments. It appears that a lot of people have a keen interest in this subject. Part of that interest is, I'm pretty sure, because Roger makes his machines sound so attractive and because, as a regular with 'how to' YouTube videos, he sounds like such a nice guy!

I'm not feeling terribly optimistic but it would be nice if ESV were able to prosecute him (not me, I hope) in some way and force him to make good the electrical safety of each machine he has sold here.

One way or the other, I'm on a mission now. So far, more than 100 people have viewed this thread and, I suspect, that's more than 100 people who will not ever buy a machine from Roger Webb or Pacific Tooling. I will share my experience on other relevant forums as well. The more people who know about Roger Webb/Pacific Tooling in particular and about importing in general, the better.

I think that this is as far as this thread can go in terms of productive commentary. However, I will continue to add comments if any more info comes to hand and, in particular, if ESV is able to achieve any positive action against Roger.

Bye for now and thanks for all the fish! )

Originally Posted by ian

perhaps part of the answer is that because the drill press was 3 phase it is not covered by "Anything sold in Australia or connected to a 240VAC power connection is required by law to be Australian Certified."

I think the 240V reference would no doubt have been just a colloquialism Ian- It would be far more likely be the AS:3000 definition of anything above extra low voltage - 50VAC or 120VDC. Thanks to Cava for the info. Will be interesting to bring this up at the next beer and bs session with my fellow sparkies.

I'm still perplexed about the origin charges. What are these?
Didn't you buy it FOB?
I think you should query this.

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Originally Posted by DaveVman

I'm still perplexed about the origin charges. What are these?
Didn't you buy it FOB?
I think you should query this.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Sorry I haven't replied to your original question re Origin Charges. I confess that with all the various charges, I didn't originally think to query them. They were just another charge on a long list. However, I have ask for a breakdown and will let you know when I get a reply.

Originally Posted by Dougsshed

At this point, I'm very grateful for everyone's input and comments. It appears that a lot of people have a keen interest in this subject. Part of that interest is, I'm pretty sure, because Roger makes his machines sound so attractive and because, as a regular with 'how to' YouTube videos, he sounds like such a nice guy!

I'm not feeling terribly optimistic but it would be nice if ESV were able to prosecute him (not me, I hope) in some way and force him to make good the electrical safety of each machine he has sold here.

One way or the other, I'm on a mission now. So far, more than 100 people have viewed this thread and, I suspect, that's more than 100 people who will not ever buy a machine from Roger Webb or Pacific Tooling. I will share my experience on other relevant forums as well. The more people who know about Roger Webb/Pacific Tooling in particular and about importing in general, the better.

I think that this is as far as this thread can go in terms of productive commentary. However, I will continue to add comments if any more info comes to hand and, in particular, if ESV is able to achieve any positive action against Roger.

Bye for now and thanks for all the fish! )

perhaps it's time to think about other steps.

It appears that at best "Pacific Tooling" is merely a domain name. There may be actions that Tasmanian Fair Trading or the ACCC can take in respect to Roger's sales practices. While I don't know how -- but no doubt a google search would tell you -- I suggest you archive a copy of all of Roger's YouTube sales pitches.

PM me your phone number Doug.

George